Former WWE Superstar Returning For One More Match
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The "forbidden door" between WWE and TNA has swung wide open once again, as TNA's Director of Authority, Santino Marella, made a shocking return to WWE on last night's episode of NXT. The former Intercontinental Champion is now set for his first official WWE match in over a decade, and it will be for a championship.
On the July 29th episode of NXT, Marella will challenge "All Ego" Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship. The match was made after a heated confrontation between the two Canadians.
Ethan Page isn't making himself any friends here in Houston... 😬@OfficialEGO pic.twitter.com/J3Mk3JpKWv — WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2025
The Challenge Is Made
During the July 22nd broadcast of NXT, the newly crowned North American Champion, Ethan Page, came to the ring. He unveiled a new, customized version of the title belt that featured a Canadian flag strap. Page then cut a scathing promo, denouncing the United States and praising his home country of Canada.
Page's promo was cut short by the surprise arrival of Santino Marella. The TNA authority figure, also a proud Canadian, took exception to Page's attitude and challenged him to a championship match, which was made official for the following week.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
An Unprecedented Partnership
Santino Marella's appearance is the latest and one of the most surprising examples of the unprecedented working relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling.
This "forbidden door" partnership has created a wave of excitement in the wrestling world. It has already seen TNA's Jordynne Grace compete in the WWE Royal Rumble and on NXT, and NXT's Trick Williams have a run as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
The collaboration allows for dream match scenarios and surprise appearances that were thought to be impossible just a couple of years ago. The arrival of a TNA on-screen official to challenge for a WWE title is another major step in this historic partnership.
The Return Of The "Milan Miracle"
Santino Marella is one of the most beloved comedic characters in WWE history. He famously debuted in 2007 during a Raw taping in Milan, Italy, where he was chosen from the crowd (in storyline) to challenge Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship.
In a shocking upset, he won the title on his very first night, earning him the nickname the "Milan Miracle."
Throughout his WWE career, he would go on to win the Intercontinental title a second time, as well as the United States Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Marella is most famous for his hilarious backstage segments and his finisher, "The Cobra," a sock puppet snake that delivered a paralyzing strike. While he has wrestled sporadically on the independent scene since leaving WWE in 2014, this will be his first high-profile WWE match in years.
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